How much do ophthalmologist make a year

How much does a Ophthalmologist make in the United States? The average Ophthalmologist salary in the United States is $312,400 as of September 26, 2022, but the range typically falls between $262,600 and $357,300. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target. 

Recently searched related titles: Vice President Global Supply Chain

Jobs with a similar salary range to Ophthalmologist : Surgery Resident

Job Description

The Ophthalmologist prescribes glasses, contacts or surgery to correct vision. Examines patients' eyes to ensure eye health, to treat injuries and to identify eye irregularities. Being an Ophthalmologist may report to a medical director. Requires a degree in medicine from an accredited school and is licensed to practice. Ophthalmologist's years of experience requirement may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. (Copyright 2022 Salary.com)

Employers: Job Description Management Tool

Take just three simple steps below to generate your own personalized salary report

Step 1 of 3

Understand the total compensation opportunity for an Ophthalmologist, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Ophthalmologist in the United States. The base salary for Ophthalmologist ranges from $262,600 to $357,300 with the average base salary of $312,400. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $264,900 to $373,500 with the average total cash compensation of $316,300.

Job Description for Physician - Ophthalmology

Physician - Ophthalmology examines patients' eyes to ensure eye health, to treat injuries and to identify eye irregularities. Prescribes glasses, contacts or surgery to correct vision. Being a Physician - Ophthalmology requires a MD degree from an accredited school. Requires a valid state license to practice. Additionally, Physician - Ophthalmology may report to a medical director. Physician - Ophthalmology's years of experience requirement may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. (Copyright 2022 Salary.com)... View full job description

Working with one of the most delicate parts of the body, optometrists and ophthalmologists help care for a person’s eyes. While both types of doctors are specialists in anything doing with our eyes and sight, they are not interchangeable roles. Each type has its own responsibilities and roles in eye care. An optometrist salary is generally less than that of an ophthalmologist. Both salaries vary depending on other factors like where they work and how many years of experience they have.

What Are the Job Duties of an Optometrist?

When someone starts having vision trouble, they see an optometrist for basic vision care. Optometrists do routine vision checks and tests, examine other parts of the visual system and diagnose and treat minor eye problems, diseases and injuries.

If necessary, the optometrist prescribes glasses or contact lenses, finding the right vision correction level and fit for each person. They also do minor surgical procedures, offer pre- and post-op care for more involved surgeries with an ophthalmologist and promote general eye health and care.

How Do the Job Duties of an Ophthalmologist Differ From an Optometrist?

Ophthalmologists can do all the above duties that optometrists can, as well as perform eye surgery. They have the additional skills to specialize in surgery for conditions like glaucoma and cataracts. They also perform corneal, vitro-retinal, eye muscle and oculoplastic surgeries.

Before surgery even takes place, the ophthalmologist puts the patient through a complete exam to diagnose the issue and create the best treatment plan. An ophthalmologist can also treat more complicated eye injuries, including those dealing with other eye structures like the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva and eyelids.

Where Do Optometrists and Ophthalmologists Work?

Many optometrists own their practices, sometimes working in a practice with other optometrists. Some optometrists only work with a certain population, specializing in one type of eye care such as pediatrics or low vision. Optometrists also find employment in postsecondary education, as consultants and in research roles.

Ophthalmologists work in mostly in hospitals and surgery centers, but some also have their own practices.

Both generally work full-time, putting in hours in the evenings and on the weekends to fit patient schedules.

What Are the Educational Requirements for Each?

The first requirements for becoming an optometrist or ophthalmologist are an interest and aptitude in math and science. Both fields require an undergraduate degree, with most students opting for a major in biology, pre-med or a similar discipline.

The next step for optometrists is taking the Optometry Admission Test and getting into a Doctor of Optometry program. After completing a four-year Doctor of Optometry degree they can then obtain a license from the state where they will practice. If an optometrist wants to specialize in a certain area, they’ll often follow their O.D. program with a one-year residency program in that specialty.

The path to a career in ophthalmology is similar, with a four-year medical degree following an undergraduate degree. They also need four to five years of additional specialized training, generally with three years in residency and one year in an internship. The final step is earning board certification from the American Board of Ophthalmology and a license in the state where they want to practice.

What Is the Average Optometrist Salary?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for optometrists was $110,300, as of May 2017. This means that half of the industry made more and half made less. Those in the top 10 percent of earners made $190,090, while the bottom 10 percent brought home less than $53,740.

Optometrists employed in private doctor practices made the most at $124,060, while those in government roles made the least at $94,280. These states have the highest average eye doctor salary:

•      Connecticut ($192,870).
  
•      Alaska ($187,800).
  
•     Maryland ($141,870).
  
•     Oklahoma ($136,740).
  
•      Massachusetts ($135,780).
  

What Is the Average Ophthalmologist Salary?

Ophthalmologists earn an average of $357,000 a year, according to the Medscape Ophthalmologist Compensation Report from 2018. The salary for self-employed ophthalmologists is $429,000, higher than the salary for those working for other entities, which is an average of $256,000.

More years of experience generally equals higher pay. Those with 0 to 5 years of experience earn an average of $180,000, while 20-plus years of experience gets you about $270,000 a year.

What Is the Projected Job Growth for Both Fields?

From 2016 to 2026, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the field of optometry to grow nearly 18 percent. That’s a significant difference from the seven percent growth expected across all occupations. Jobs for ophthalmologists are expected to grow nearly 11 percent during that same time period.

The aging U.S. population is one of the main reasons for the jump in job growth, as most eye problems occur later in life. An increase in chronic diseases – like diabetes and heart disease – that lead to eye problems will also increase the need for optometrists and ophthalmologists.

High demand for these jobs will also lead to a steadier and sometimes, even an higher, Doctor of Optometry salary for most practitioners.

How much does Ophthalmologist earn in us?

How much does a top Ophthalmologist make?

How much do eye surgeons make in NYC?

How much do eye doctors make in California?